THE ORIGINAL SIN OF MAN

JEREMIAH 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

(Jeremiah 17:9).

Many people think that the term original in the phrase “original sin” refers to the first sin ever committed, the sin of Adam and Eve. This is not precisely correct. The term original sin has specific reference to the result of Adam and Eve’s sin. Original sin is not an act, but a condition.

The Origin of Original Sin

We must distinguish between Sin and sin. Sin with a little s refers to the bad deed, while Sin with a capital S refers to the condition that produces the act. Original sin refers to the depravity of man’s heart that resulted from the sin of Adam that has been the wellspring of sinful acts ever since.

Our sins come out of our sinful nature. By way of contrast, Adam started out with a good nature and then sinned. The punishment for Adam’s sin includes the sinful nature. That is, original sin is not the sin of Adam but an aspect of the punishment for Adam’s sin. Original sin is both sin, and also the punishment for sin.

The Radical Nature of Original Sin

The Reformation doctrine of original sin says that man is totally depraved. This is sometimes confused and misunderstood to mean that man is as bad as he possibly can be, that he is utterly depraved. This, however, is not biblical teaching. Rather, the doctrine of man’s total depravity means that man apart from Christ can do nothing but sin. Sin taints his every act, including his seemingly best deeds.

It is always possible for man to do worse than he does. Not all men and not all deeds are as bad as some others. However because of original sin and even a Christian’s remaining corruption, it is impossible for any man to do what God considers to be a truly good work.

CORAM DEO

The dread of the biblical doctrine of sin is that it teaches that sin wrecks everything in man’s life. But the corresponding beauty of the biblical doctrine of sin is that it drives us to Christ at every single point of our lives. It leaves us no zone of “neutrality” where we need not face God. Have you been hiding any part of your life? Today as you pray, ask God to specifically show you one thing that needs to be laid before Him anew.

For further study: Ephesians 2; Psalm 32

TRANSITION